Hydraulically-actuatable elevator system

ABSTRACT

A hydraulically-actuatable elevator system wherein the vertically reciprocatable cargo-carrying carrier component is suspended from a lofty superstructure by at least one hydraulically-actuatable elongate piston of the generic casingplunger type. Forceable introduction of hydraulic fluid into the piston will decrease the piston overall elongate length causing the carrier component to ascend toward the overlying superstructure while controlled withdrawal of hydraulic fluid from the piston will increase the piston overall length allowing the weighty carrier component to descend. Novel control means enable the carrier component to be temporarily stationable at any selected elevation within the piston length range.

United States Patent [451 Mar. 21, 1972 Brown [54]HYDRAULICALLY-ACTUATABLE ELEVATOR SYSTEM [72] Inventor: Rchard L. Brown,1812 Pelton Avenue,

Bellevue, Nebr. 68005 [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1969 [2]] Appl. No.: 886,101

[52] U.S.Cl ..187/17 [51] ..B66b 11/04 [58] Field ofSearch ..187/17,8.59,9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 454,872 6/1891 Krell..187/17 2,214,588 9/1940 Lagerquist ..187/17 2,647,590 8/1953 Anderson..187/17 3,457,876 7/1969 Holden ..187/17 140,082 6/1873 Schuyler......187/17 149,236 3/1874 Mackenzie. ..187/17 1,872,803 8/1932 Persson..187/95 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,536,431 10/1968 France..187/17 1,086,181 2/1955 France ..187/17 Primary Examiner-Harvey C.l-lornsby Attorney-George R. Nimmer [57] ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 7 DrawingFigures Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,356

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 LQJ El L2]. A f 2| f 71 G I "wUmMW w J, man.

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RICHARD L. BROWN INVENTOR- ATTORNEY m Patented March 21, 1972 4Sheets-Sheet 2 RICHARD L. BROWN INVENTOR. W R )Q FIG. 2

ATTORNEY HYDRAULICALLY-ACTUATABLE ELEVATOR SYSTEM SPECIFICATION It is ageneral object of the present invention to provide ahydraulically-actuatable elevator system that is economical to build andinstall and that can be utilized in a wide range of environmentalsituations.

It is specific object to provide a hydraulically-actuatable elevatorsystem that can be produced as an easily-assemblable readily-portablemodular form whereby the elevator system can be readily installed intoa'lofty shaftlike wellway located internally of a multistory buildingstructure and can be employed with equal facility in an environmentwithout the benefit of such internal shaftlike wellway; For example, theself-sustaining modular formithereof might be employed along theexternal wall of a building structure to service a'plurality ofledge-like elevations, or even moved about an internal floor of awarehouse to service loft-like storage bins.

It is another object to provide a hydraulically-actuatable elevatorsystem wherein underlying substructures or anchoring means are notrequired for the hydraulically-actuatable piston components.

It is a further object to provide a simple, reliable, safe, andeconomical control means for temporarily stationing the carriercomponent at desired elevations.

It is yet another object to provide a hydraulically-actuat'able elevatorsystem having exceeding economic advantage and reliability, particularlyas appliedto the servicing of two consecutive floor levels, as in aconventional dwelling home, whereby offering needed low-cost reliableelevator service to the aged and infirm.

It is a further object to provide a low-cost easily-installed compactreliable elevator system adapted for use in low-rise apartment buildingswhereby the marketability of upper story apartments is increased.

It is yet another object to provide an elevator system having anunusually low ratio of mass compared to the cargo weights manipulatabletherewith.

With the above and other objects and advantages in'view, which willbecome more apparent as this description proceeds, the novelhydraulically-actuatable elevator system for use in combination with atwo or more storied building structure generally comprises: an elevatorcar or similar weighty loadable platformed carrier member disposedwithin and vertically reciprocatable along a lofty frame member, saidframe member having a superstructure upper portion; at least onehydraulically-actuatable elongate piston of the plungercasing type forsuspending the elevator car or other loadable platform member from thesuperstructure, either the plunger or casing segment being attached toand extending downwardly from the superstructure; and pump meanscommunicating with the hydraulically-actuatable piston wherebycontrolled introduction of hydraulic fluid into the casing interior willshorten the overall elongate length of the piston to cause the carriermember to rise to a desired level, appropriate valving ancillary to thehydraulic pumping means allow hydraulic fluid to be emitted fromthe'casing interior whereupon the carrier member descends as the pistonelongates.

In the drawing, wherein like characters refer to like parts in theseveral views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical multistory building structureS," with which embodiments of the novel hydraulically-actuatable systemelevator system might be employed.

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1showing an embodiment of the novel hydraulicallyactuatable elevatorsystem employed within a lofty shaftlike wellway W located internally ofthe building structure S.

FIG. 3 is a sectional plan view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective elevational view of the hydraulicallyactuatableelevator system of FIGS. 2 and 3, particularly showing the desireablemodular-like structural characteristics thereof whereby '-'the elevatorsystem might'be employed within'theloftyfintemal wellway W, or withequal facility upon patio P" alongside'an external upright wall oftypical building structure *8.

- FIG. 5 is a detail elevational sectional view of thehydraulically-actuatable piston component of FIGS. 2-4.

FIG/6 is a'schematic'view of 'the preferred hydraulic network for thehydraulically-actuatable 'elevator system.

FIG. 7 is-asectional elevational view taken along line 7--7 of FIG. l-showing schematically an alternate type hydraulicaIly-actuatablepiston'for-the novel elevator systems herein.

The typical'multistory building structure S of FIG. 1 comprises threehorizontal floorlevels A, B, and C, whereby each of the 'three storiesfor structure S extends upwardly from a said floor level. D indicatesthe ceiling level for the third story, slanted roof-R defining an atticatop'the third story. The foundation for structure S includes a concreteslab G with a horizontal surface upon which first floor level A rests.There is herein a lateral extension of concrete foundation G as an apronor patio P. Structure S might have one or more windows at each storylevel, herein four windows being arbitrarily shown at each story level.For the purposes of better describing an alternate use of the elevatorsystem in its modular embodiment-clearly shown in FIG. 4, those windowsJ, K, and L in verticalalignment with patio P are herein provided withlaterally extending "ledge-like balconies. A finite verticaldistance Vexists between the upper surfaces of adjacent floor levels, e.g., A-B,B-C, C-D, whereby the height of each building story level is alsosubstantially equal to V. The sectional elevational views of FIGS. 2 and7 disclose a lofty vertical shaftlike wellway W extendinguninterruptedly from the foundation G through lowest floorlevel A andupwardly therefrom through the floor level of an upper selected story,i.e., floor level C in FIG. 2, or-attic floor level D in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the typical embodiment M of the novelhydraulically-actuatable elevator system might be disposed within loftywell way W, said lofty well way being provided within building'structureS by cutting a rectangular opening through each floor. Embodiment M ofFIGS. 25 is arbitrarily designed to convey cargo or passenger loadsbetween two arbitrarily selected adjacent floor levels, e.g., A and B.This two-stories" elevator system embodiment M will now be described indetail inasmuch as the general teachings and principles thereof areapplicable to alternate elevator embodiments, including to embodimentsfor servicing three or more story levels.

As is common to elevator structures generally, elevator system Mcomprises a substantially horizontal weighty carrier -member, e.g.,platform or deck l1, disposed within lofty wellway W and being adaptedvertically reciprocate to the arbitrarily selected floor levels, e.g., Aand B. Herein, the platform ll-is the loadable'deck of a lofty elevatorcar carrier member 10 vertically reciprocatably disposed within wellwayW, said elevator car receptacle-l0 having upright walls includingopposed sidewalls 12 whereby elevator car 10 has a finite overall carheight between the roof l4 and deck 11 that is substantially equal tovertical distance V (between floor levels A and B). Elevator car 10might typically comprise sliding doors 15 as the intervening uprightwalls between opposed sidewalls 12. The elevator car sidewalls 12 arepreferably vertically grooved at l3 to accommodate therealong verticaltrack means, e.g., columnar rails 30, the elevator car at groovedportions 13 herein including rollers 16 to minimize the friction betweenelevator car 10 and said track means 30. As is most clearly indicated inFIG. 3, a tonguelike extension 11A of deck or platform 11 into region'31 provides the lower extremity of sidewall grooved portions 13.

Elevator system M also comprises a superstructure disposed loftily abovethe upper arbitrarily selected floor level B, and from whichsuperstructure the carrier member is suspended with interveninghydraulically-actuatable pistons. The superstructure, e.g., 20, has afixed relationship with respect to building structure S, and is hereindisposed loftily above the upper arbitrarily selected floor level B,said lofty distance being immediately above floor level C when the carheight is substantially V. Although superstructure 20 is herein loftilyelevated above upper floor level B as by means of attachment to uprightrails 30, said superstructure might with equal facility be attacheddirectly to structure S, e.g., to floor level C. A superstructure, e.g.,20, maintained in lofty fixed elevation above a shaftway, e. g., W, fora vertically reciprocatable carrier member, e.g., 11, provides a loftyframe member for the elevator system.

There are vertically extending track means portion 30 for verticallyguiding the carrier member, e.g., 10, 11, said track means hereincomprising a pair of lofty upright stationary columnar rails, e.g., 30,transversely spaced apart in substantial parallelism as within wellwayW, elevator car being disposed within the inter-columnar spatial gap 39.Columns 30 extend upwardly from lower floor level A through second floorlevel B and the columnar upper end 33 is disposed above second storyceiling level C. Columns 30 preferably have the channel-ironconfiguration shown in the drawing, the elongate channelled interiorside 31 of each said upright columnar rail facing intervening elevatorcar 10 and being disposed within grooved portions 13. The upper portionof rails 30 are rigidly tied together with transverse channel-ironheader 21, said header 21 in attachment with said rails upper portions33 providing a superstructure embodiment 20. As is indicated in FIG. 4,rails 30 might be additionally tied together with a horizontalrectangularly-annular structure 35, said annulus 35 surrounding elevatorcar 10 and rails 30 and being disposed at upper arbitrarily selectedfloor level B. Attached, as by welding, to the lower ends of therespective rails 30 are baseplates 32, said baseplates resting uponconcrete slab substrate G. Thus, it can be seen that annulus 35 andheader 21 rigidly joining rails 30 serve to provide the self-sustaininglofty frame member and a modular portable elevator system shown best inFIG. 4. Said modular portable form can be employed altematively, eitherwithin a lofty shaftlike wellway W located internally of a buildingstructure S, or externally of building structure S as resting stablyupon patio P to service ledge-like window elevations J, K, and L.

An exceedingly important aspect of this invention concerns the use of atleast one hydraulically-actuatable piston for suspending the carriermember, e.g., l0, 11, from the lofty superstructure; moreover, forcibleintroduction of hydraulic fluid into the suspended piston shortens thepiston overall longitudinal length causing the carrier member to ascend,emission of hydraulic fluid from the piston allows lengthening of thepiston and the carrier member descends. The hydraulically-actuatablepiston is of the generic dual-segment type, one segment being a tubularelongate casing, e.g., 52, that annularly surrounds the pistonlongitudinal axis, e.g., 51, 151, and also annularly surrounds at leastthe rearward portion of the other piston segment, e.g., unitary plunger62, telescoping plunger 162. One of the piston segments is attached toand extends downwardly from the lofty superstructure, e.g., 20, whilethe other piston member is attached to the carrier member, e.g., l0, 11.An appropriate pump means, e.g., 100, is actuatably connected to thesaid hydraulically-actuatable piston, said pump means being adapted toforcibly introduce hydraulic fluid into the casing interior to shortenthe overall piston length causing the carrier member to rise.

The hydraulically-actuatable elongate piston 50, which is admirablysuited for the important elevator system embodiment M of FIGS. 24, isuprightly positioned along vertical longitudinal axis 51. Piston 50comprises an upright elongate tubular casing segment 52 circularlyannularly surrounding axis 51 and having a rearward end wall 53 as thecasing rearward end and having a centrally open forward end wall 54 asthe casing forward end whereby casing 52 has an elongate hollowinterior. Piston 50 also comprises an upright elongate tubularplunger'segment 62 maintained in fixed elevation, said plunger 62annularly surrounding (circularly) axis 51. There is a plunger rearwardend 63 of fixed elevation and permanently disposed within the casinginterior rearwardly of casing forward end wall 54 and a plunger forwardend 64 fixedly attached to the lofty superstructure, herein at header2!. The plunger rearward end takes the form of a solid circular shoulderportion 63 slidably engaging the entire annular internal elongatecircular wall 55 of casing 52, and the centrally open casing forward endwall 54 slidably surrounds the narrowed preponderant tubular length 69of plunger 62. Thus, casing 52 is vertically reciprocatably slidablealong stationary plunger 62, the maximum longitudinal forwardextendability of the unitary plunger 62 relative to casing 52 occurringwhen shoulder 63 is immediately rearwardly of casing forward end wall54. The preponderant tubular length 69 is empirically chosen ofsufficient length that the said maximum forward-extendability fromcasing forward end 54 is at least equal to said finite vertical distanceV as indicated in solid line in FIG. 2. Moreover, there exists betweenplunger shoulder 63 and casing forward end wall 54 a longitudinallydimensionally variable hydraulic fluid compartment 56 within the forwardportion of easing segment 52 commencing at casing forward end wall 54and extending rearwardly to plunger rearward shoulder 63, an elongatedcondition of fluid compartment 56 existing when the piston is shortenedas indicated in phantom line in Fig. 2.

Plunger segment 62 is provided with a longitudinally extending bore 65along piston axis 51, said bore 65 having a forward terminus 66permanently disposed forwardly of the casing forward end 54 so that thepump means will be able to forcibly introduce hydraulic fluid into bore65 and ultimately into compartment 56 irrespective of the piston overalllength, herein said bore forward terminus 66 being located at thethreaded forward end 64 of plunger 62. Plunger bore 65 has a rearwardterminus 67 permanently disposed within the casing fluid compartment 56irrespective of the piston overall length, herein said bore rearwardterminus 67 being disposed immediately adjacent to the forward side ofplunger shoulder 63. For the elevator embodiment M of FIGS. 2-4, two ofthe aforesaid described hydraulically-actuatable pistons 50 are employedto suspend the elevator car carrier 10 from the lofty superstructure 20;the two pistons are structurally and dimensionally similar, the casinglength 53-54 of each piston being substantially equal to the car heightand to finite given distance V. The two respective pistons 50 areuprightly disposed on opposite sides of elevator car 10 withinvertically grooved portions 13 and also disposed within the uprightinterior side 31 of channel-iron rails 30. The lower rearward end 53 ofthe respective piston casings 52 are of substantially coelevation at theelevator car deck 1 1, said casing rearward end walls 53 abuttingagainst horizontal extensions 11A. At-

tachment of casings 52 to elevator car 10 at 11A is herein accomplishedby an integral stud 57 extending rearwardly of the casing rearward endwalls 53, said stud 57 passing vertically through deck portions 11A andsecured thereat with nuts 58. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, there isan air exhaust port 59 through each rearward end wall 53 and thencedownwardly through elevator car deck extensions 11A. The threaded upperforward end 64 of the respective piston plunger segments 62 are ofsubstantial co-elevation at superstructure 20, plunger forward end 64being threadedly engaged with superstructure transverse header portion21 immediately adjacent to the upper end extremity 33 of the respectiverail columns 30. Thus, it can be seen that when hydraulic fluid isforcibly introduced as with a suitable pump means along plunger bore 65into casing fluid chamber 56 and against casing forward end wall 54, thecasing segment and attached elevator car 10 are forced to ascend, as toservice the second story as indicated in phantom line in H0. 2.Conversely, when the pump means is deactuated, i.e., fluid flow towardthe pump means is permitted, the casing 52 weighted by elevator carcarrier 10 moves by gravity downwardly along axis 51, and hydraulicfluid flows gradually forwardly along plunger bore 65, until the firstfloor level A is attained as indicated in solid line in FIG. 2.

There are control means positioned between the pump means, e.g., 100,and the at least one hydraulically-actuatable piston, e.g., 50, so thatthe elevator car loadable deck is temporarily stationable at a desiredfloor level, one such control means being schematically illustrated inFIG. 6. There is an outlet-pipe 102 for the hydraulic fluid reservoir101 communicating with pump 100, said reservoir also being provided withan inlet pipe 103. Downstream of pump 100 is a pressure relief valve104, the primary branch of 104 proceeding to a first one-way check valve105 and the secondary or overflow branch of 104 proceeding to inlet pipe103. There is an upsignal" herein as first electrical switch 98 (whichmight be located within elevator car or at the second story of structureS) which actuates pump 100, and while pump 100 remains actuated, thefluid delivered by pump 100 will flow from 105 to proximal check valve106 which is herein positioned adjacent to electrically-actuatablesolenoid 107. From proximal valve 106, which will permit fluid to flowtherethrough toward 116 (during those durations when switch 99 is off),fluid delivered by pump 100 proceeds through hosing 116 connected to therespective plunger bores at 66 causing the pistons 50 to longitudinallyshorten and the elevator car 10 to ascend. When the elevator car deck 11is at co-elevation with second floor level B, the casing upper forwardend 54 might actuate a parallel branch 98A of electrical switch 98 todeactuate pump 100, whereupon the elevator car would remain indefinitelyat the phantom line position of FIG. 2 (fluid flow through valve 109being impossible until switch 99 is subsequently actuated). Elements104-109 are desirably located within a cabinet 120 at superstructure 20.

Elements 99, 107, 108, and 109 are employed (pump 100 through switch 98being off and pistons 50 being in the retracted shortened form) when itis desired to have the elevator car carrier descend. There is aconstant-volume outlet valve 109 interposed between proximal valve 106and inlet pipe 103, said valve 109 being capable of delivering aselected constant volume rate of fluid therethrough when the control armthereof (indicated as a radial member in FIG. 6) is actuated. Adjacentto valve 109 and mechanically connected to the control arm thereof is anelectrically actuatable gear motor 108, electrical power to element 108being controlled through a down-signal" switch 99 (which might belocated within elevator car 10 or at the first story or structure S).When switch 99 is actuated, and assuming that switch 98 and pump 100remain deactuated, solenoid 107 through switch 99 allows fluid to flowthrough valve 106 toward constant-volume valve 109, said valve 109 beingmade to pass fluid therethrough only when gear motor 108 is actuatedwith switch 99. Thus, so long as switch 99 remains on, the weightedcasing 52 will gradually push fluid through bore terminus 66 at theselected volumetric rate through valve 109 into reservoir 101 via inletpipe 103, allowing elevator car 10 to slowly descend. When deck 11 is atco-elevation with lower floor level A, the deck 11 might actuate aparallel branch 99A of switch 99 to deactuate elements 107-109 whereuponthe elevator-car would remain indefinitely at the desired elevation, asindicated in solid line in FIG. 2. The procedure of this and theimmediately preceding paragraph could be repeated to elevate and lowerthe elevator-car carrier by appropriately respectively shortening orlengthening the hydraulically-actuatable pistons, e.g., 50. If a breakin the fluid lines between internal bore 66 and valve 106 should occur,minimizing the size of bore rearward terminus 67 would prevent adangerously rapid descent of the elevator car carrier.

As is indicated in FIGS. 2-6, and particularly in FIG. 4, thehydraulically-actuatable elevator system of the present invention isamenable to easy assembly and modular-like portability. For example,FIG. 4 readily indicates that the entire elevator assembly lends itselfto ready insertion and installation into the internal shaftlike wellwayW ofa typical building structure S. Moreover, it can be readily seenfrom FIGS. 2 and 4 that baseplates 32 of the said self-sustainingportable elevator assembly might rest upon a substrate, e.g., patio P,located extemally of typical building structure S whereby the elevatormight service the balcony-like ledges of windowed elevations .l, K, andL. Inasmuch as the lowest extremities, e.g., baseplates 32, of the novelelevator system are positionable only a few inches below the lowestserviceable level, e.g., A, it can be readily seen-that an exceedinglyimportant advantage of the elevator system herein is its unusual ease ofinstallation; prior art elevator systems generally necessarily extendsome distance below the lowest serviceable level, such downwardextensions requiring expensive excavations or other substructure, wastedspace, and cumbersome installation procedures. The rails 30, togetherwith transverse header 21 and rectangular annulus 35, provide a unitarylofty portable self-sustaining frame member including track means forthe vertically reciprocatable carrier, e. g., 10, whereby the embodimentM is readily employable either within a building shaftway W or external'to the building as upon patio P. Moreover, as compared to columnarhydraulically-actuatable pistons of the prior art, the novel suspendedhydraulic pistons herein exhibit surprisingly greater structuralstrength per unit of piston mass.

While the preceding description has thus far been concerned with theservicing of two adjacent floor levels, e.g., A and B, B and C, etc.,the elevator system herein is amenable to the servicing of various floorlevels of a three or more storied building structure. For example:assuming for purposes of illustration that the vertical distance betweeneach of three or four consecutive floor levels is substantially saidgiven distance V, the longitudinal length of the piston casing 52 and ofthe piston plunger 62 of FIGS. 2-5 might each approximate someconvenient multiple of V such as 2V; also assuming that control-meansanalogous to that of FIG. 6 are employed therewith; and further assumingthat the plunger forward end 64 is suspendably attached to asuperstructure, e.g., 20, located adjacent to ceiling level of theuppermost serviceable story; the vertically reciprocatable carrier,e.g., 10, would be readily stationable at any one of several arbitrarilychosen elevations located below the supporting superstructure.

The FIG. 7 schematic view refers to modified hydraulicallyactuatablepiston which might be employed alternatively to piston type 50 for usein servicing three or more storied building wherein the aggregate orcumulative elevation to be serviced by the vertically movablecarrierexceeds twice the elongate length of piston casing 52. Forexample, in FIG. 7 there is shown three consecutive serviceable floorlevels A, B, and C, each separated by finite distance V and wherein thelength of casing 52 is substantially V. Instead of the unitaryfixed-length unitary plunger segment 62, the plunger segment 162 ofpiston 150 is of the conventional multi-section telescoping typecomprising herein inner plunger section 162B telescopically associatedwith 'outer plunger section 162A, the longitudinal length of eachsection 162A and 1628 being substantially V. The inner plunger section1628 is of analgous structure and performance to unitary plunger 62including an internal bore therealong having a forward end 66 at 64;inner plunger segment 1628 at its forward end 64 is suspendably attachedfrom an appropriate superstructure, e.g., 20, as in the case of unitaryplunger 62, whereby inner plunger segment 162B remains at constantelevation. As hydraulic fluid is forcibly introduced into orifice 66,the entire plunger section 162A moves downwardly rearwardly oftelescopically associated fixed plunger section 1628, and ultimately162A reaches floor level B; upon continued fluid introduction, casing 52then moves downwardly rearwardly of plunger section 162A and ultimatelyreaches floor level A. Thus, the shortest form of piston 150 providescarrier service to floor level C as indicated in solid line in FIG. 7,the intermediately extended form of piston 150 with inner plungersection 1628 fully extended with respect to plunger section 162Aprovides carrier service to floor level B, and the fully extended formof piston 150 with both plunger sections 162A and 1628 fully extendedrelatively forwardly of casing 52 provides carrier service to floorlevel A. The lengths of the casing segment 52, and the lengths andmember of telescopically associated plunger sections might beempirically chosen to provide carrier service to four or more floorlevel elevations.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of thehydraulically-actuatable elevator system will be readily understood andfurther explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactconstruction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within thescope of the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. A hydraulically actuatable elevator system in combination with amulti-story building structure having a lower arbitrarily selected storyextending upwardly from a horizontal floor level therefor and having anupper arbitrarily selected story extending upwardly from a horizontalfloor level therefor whereby a finite vertical distance exists betweenthe said arbitrarily selected floor levels, said building structureincluding a lofty vertical shaft-like wellway extending loftilyuninterruptedly from the floor level of the lower selected storyupwardly through the floor level of the upper selected story,

said hydraulically-actuatable elevator system comprising:

A. A weighty carrier member having a horizontal lower platform and apair of opposed upright sidewalls, said carrier member being disposedwithin said wellway and being adapted to vertically reciprocate alongthe wellway and between the arbitrarily selected floor levels;

B. A vertically extending track means guide for the carrier membercomprising a pair of lofty upright columns transversely spaced apart insubstantial parallelism within the wellway, said columns extendingupwardly from the lower selected floor level and through the upperselected floor level, the upper portions of the respective columnartrack means providing a superstructure that has a fixed relationshipwith the building structure and that is disposed above the upperselected floor level, said respective columnar track means verticallyguiding the carrier member at the opposed upright sides thereof;

C. A pair of elongate hydraulically-actuatable pistons of thedual-segments plunger-casing type employed for suspend ing the carriermember from the superstructure, said pistons being rigidly permanentlyspaced apart in substantial parallelism and alongside the respectiveparallel columns, the respective plunger segments being attached to andextending downwardly from the said superstructure and the respectivecasing segments being rigidly perpendicularly attached to the carriermember platform; and

D. Pump means communicating with the casing component of the respectivedual-segment pistons whereby controlled introduction of the hydraulicfluid into the casing interior will rearwardly retract the plunger withrespect to the casing to shorten the overall elongate length of thepiston causing the carrier member to rise to a desired level, controlledwithdrawal of the hydraulic fluid from the casing interior causing anoverall lengthening of the piston allowing the weighty attached carriermember to descend.

2. The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the upper arbitrarily selectedstory of the building structure has a ceiling level whereby there existsa ceiling height for the said upper selected story above the floor leveltherefor; wherein the superstructure is disposed above the ceiling levelof the upper selected story; and wherein the rearward end of therespective vertically reciprocatable casing segments are ofsubstantially co-elevation.

3. The elevator system of claim 2 wherein each of the lofty stationaryparallel columns comprises upright channel-iron rails, the upper portionof the said rails together with a trans versely extending headerattached to the rails providing the superstructure, the elongatechanneled side of each said upright rail extending along verticallygrooved sidewall portions of the intervening elevator car; wherein theforward upper end of the respective plunger segments are ofsubstantially co-elevation at the superstructure, the forward terminusof the respective plunger bores being at the plunger forward end, therearward terminus of the respective plunger bores being at the plungershoulder portion; wherein the upright pistons suspended from thesuperstructure are disposed along the elongate channeled side of therespective channel-iron rails; wherein the elongate height of therespective casing segments are substantially equal to each other; andwherein the casing rearward ends are disposed at the elevator carloadable deck.

4. The elevator system of claim 3 wherein the building stories selectedare consecutively adjacent, the height of the lower story beingsubstantially equal to said vertical-distance, and the ceiling height ofthe upper story being substantially equal to said vertical-distance;wherein the height of the piston casing segment is substantially equalto the said vertical distance; wherein the forward extendability of theplunger segment is at least equal to the said vertical distance; andwherein the respective upright sidewalls of the elevator car immediatelyadjacent to the channel-iron rails are vertically grooved to accommodatetherealong the said respective rails as track means for the elevatorcar.

5. The elevator system of claim 3 wherein there are control meanspositioned between the pump means and the hydraulically-actuatablepistons so that the elevator car loadable deck is temporarilystationable at any selected elevation between and including at thearbitrarily selected floor levels, said control means comprising thefollowing elements:

A. an up-signal actuatably connected to a proximal check valve at theplunger forward end to permit hydraulic fluid to flow through theplunger bore into the casing fluid chamber to push the plunger shouldertoward the casing rearward end and cause the elevator-car to rise; and

B. a down-signal actuatably connected a constant-volume valve locatedbetween said proximal check valve and the hydraulic fluid reservoir forthe pump-means, the weight of the suspended elevator car forwardlyextending the plunger and allowing hydraulic fluid to flow from theeasing fluid chamber through the plunger bore, thence through theproximal check valve, through the constantvolume valve, and into thefluid reservoir for the pump means.

6. The elevator system of claim 3 wherein there is at least one buildingstory intervening between the two arbitrarily selected stories; andwherein the plunger segment is of mu]- tisection longitudinallytelescoping configuration, the fully extended length of the telescopingplunger segment exceeding the length of the casing segment; and whereinthere are control means positioned between the pump means and thehydraulically-actuatable pistons so that the elevator car loadable deckis temporarily stationable at any selected elevation between andincluding at the arbitrarily selected floor levels.

A modular hydraulically-actuatable elevator system including avertically reciprocatable elevator car carrier member having asubstantially horizontal loadable deck platform portion whereby theelevator car deck portion is adapted to vertically reciprocate between apair of substantially horizontal stationary levels including a lowerlevel station and an upper level station separated by a verticaldistance, said modular hydraulically-actuatable elevator systemcomprising:

A. An upright lofty portable frame member having a lower portion adaptedto stably support the frame directly upon a substrate and having anupper portion disposed loftily above said frame lower portion, saidframe including a pair of lofty upright substantially parallelchannel-iron rails, and transversely extending header connecting theupper portions of said rails;

B. An elevator car carrier member having a loadable deck platformportion, said elevator car being vertically reciprocatably disposedbetween the parallel rails of the frame member, the elongate channeledside of each said rail facing the elevator car and extending intovertically grooved portions of the elevator car to provide a verticalguide track means;

C. A pair of hydraulically-actuatable upright pistons of thedual-segments plunger-casing type for suspending the elevator-car fromthe frame member upper portion, the plunger segments being suspendedfrom the frame upper portion and the casing segments being attached to acommon elevation at the elevator car, the respective pistons

1. A hydraulically actuatable elevator system in combination with amulti-story Building structure having a lower arbitrarily selected storyextending upwardly from a horizontal floor level therefor and having anupper arbitrarily selected story extending upwardly from a horizontalfloor level therefor whereby a finite vertical distance exists betweenthe said arbitrarily selected floor levels, said building structureincluding a lofty vertical shaft-like wellway extending loftilyuninterruptedly from the floor level of the lower selected storyupwardly through the floor level of the upper selected story, saidhydraulicallyactuatable elevator system comprising: A. A weighty carriermember having a horizontal lower platform and a pair of opposed uprightsidewalls, said carrier member being disposed within said wellway andbeing adapted to vertically reciprocate along the wellway and betweenthe arbitrarily selected floor levels; B. A vertically extending trackmeans guide for the carrier member comprising a pair of lofty uprightcolumns transversely spaced apart in substantial parallelism within thewellway, said columns extending upwardly from the lower selected floorlevel and through the upper selected floor level, the upper portions ofthe respective columnar track means providing a superstructure that hasa fixed relationship with the building structure and that is disposedabove the upper selected floor level, said respective columnar trackmeans vertically guiding the carrier member at the opposed upright sidesthereof; C. A pair of elongate hydraulically-actuatable pistons of thedual-segments plunger-casing type employed for suspending the carriermember from the superstructure, said pistons being rigidly permanentlyspaced apart in substantial parallelism and alongside the respectiveparallel columns, the respective plunger segments being attached to andextending downwardly from the said superstructure and the respectivecasing segments being rigidly perpendicularly attached to the carriermember platform; and D. Pump means communicating with the casingcomponent of the respective dual-segment pistons whereby controlledintroduction of the hydraulic fluid into the casing interior willrearwardly retract the plunger with respect to the casing to shorten theoverall elongate length of the piston causing the carrier member to riseto a desired level, controlled withdrawal of the hydraulic fluid fromthe casing interior causing an overall lengthening of the pistonallowing the weighty attached carrier member to descend.
 2. The elevatorsystem of claim 1 wherein the upper arbitrarily selected story of thebuilding structure has a ceiling level whereby there exists a ceilingheight for the said upper selected story above the floor level therefor;wherein the superstructure is disposed above the ceiling level of theupper selected story; and wherein the rearward end of the respectivevertically reciprocatable casing segments are of substantiallyco-elevation.
 3. The elevator system of claim 2 wherein each of thelofty stationary parallel columns comprises upright channel-iron rails,the upper portion of the said rails together with a transverselyextending header attached to the rails providing the superstructure, theelongate channeled side of each said upright rail extending alongvertically grooved sidewall portions of the intervening elevator car;wherein the forward upper end of the respective plunger segments are ofsubstantially co-elevation at the superstructure, the forward terminusof the respective plunger bores being at the plunger forward end, therearward terminus of the respective plunger bores being at the plungershoulder portion; wherein the upright pistons suspended from thesuperstructure are disposed along the elongate channeled side of therespective channel-iron rails; wherein the elongate height of therespective casing segments are substantially equal to each other; andwherein the casing rearward ends are disposed at the elevator carloadable deck.
 4. The elevator system of claim 3 wherein the Buildingstories selected are consecutively adjacent, the height of the lowerstory being substantially equal to said vertical-distance, and theceiling height of the upper story being substantially equal to saidvertical-distance; wherein the height of the piston casing segment issubstantially equal to the said vertical distance; wherein the forwardextendability of the plunger segment is at least equal to the saidvertical distance; and wherein the respective upright sidewalls of theelevator car immediately adjacent to the channel-iron rails arevertically grooved to accommodate therealong the said respective railsas track means for the elevator car.
 5. The elevator system of claim 3wherein there are control means positioned between the pump means andthe hydraulically-actuatable pistons so that the elevator car loadabledeck is temporarily stationable at any selected elevation between andincluding at the arbitrarily selected floor levels, said control meanscomprising the following elements: A. an up-signal actuatably connectedto a proximal check valve at the plunger forward end to permit hydraulicfluid to flow through the plunger bore into the casing fluid chamber topush the plunger shoulder toward the casing rearward end and cause theelevator-car to rise; and B. a down-signal actuatably connected aconstant-volume valve located between said proximal check valve and thehydraulic fluid reservoir for the pump-means, the weight of thesuspended elevator car forwardly extending the plunger and allowinghydraulic fluid to flow from the casing fluid chamber through theplunger bore, thence through the proximal check valve, through theconstant-volume valve, and into the fluid reservoir for the pump means.6. The elevator system of claim 3 wherein there is at least one buildingstory intervening between the two arbitrarily selected stories; andwherein the plunger segment is of multisection longitudinallytelescoping configuration, the fully extended length of the telescopingplunger segment exceeding the length of the casing segment; and whereinthere are control means positioned between the pump means and thehydraulically-actuatable pistons so that the elevator car loadable deckis temporarily stationable at any selected elevation between andincluding at the arbitrarily selected floor levels. A modularhydraulically-actuatable elevator system including a verticallyreciprocatable elevator car carrier member having a substantiallyhorizontal loadable deck platform portion whereby the elevator car deckportion is adapted to vertically reciprocate between a pair ofsubstantially horizontal stationary levels including a lower levelstation and an upper level station separated by a vertical distance,said modular hydraulically-actuatable elevator system comprising: A. Anupright lofty portable frame member having a lower portion adapted tostably support the frame directly upon a substrate and having an upperportion disposed loftily above said frame lower portion, said frameincluding a pair of lofty upright substantially parallel channel-ironrails, and transversely extending header connecting the upper portionsof said rails; B. An elevator car carrier member having a loadable deckplatform portion, said elevator car being vertically reciprocatablydisposed between the parallel rails of the frame member, the elongatechanneled side of each said rail facing the elevator car and extendinginto vertically grooved portions of the elevator car to provide avertical guide track means; C. A pair of hydraulically-actuatableupright pistons of the dual-segments plunger-casing type for suspendingthe elevator-car from the frame member upper portion, the plungersegments being suspended from the frame upper portion and the casingsegments being attached to a common elevation at the elevator car, therespective pistons being located within the respective channel-ironrails; and D. Pump means actuatably connected to the respectiveduaL-segments hydraulically-actuatable pistons and adapted to introducehydraulic fluid into the casing interior to rearwardly retract theplunger into the casing to cause the elevator car to rise along and tobe vertically guided by the respective parallel rails of the relativelystationary upright frame member.